Waretown Skipper Receives Sea Tow Award For Going “Above And Beyond” - The Fisherman

Waretown Skipper Receives Sea Tow Award For Going “Above And Beyond”

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Sea Tow Services International recently recognized Sea Tow Central New Jersey Captain Walter Bohn for going above and beyond the call of duty to rescue individuals on two separate occasions in 2021.  Capt. Bohn received two Efforts Above and Beyond Awards during Sea Tow’s annual meeting, which took place November 18.

“We are grateful to have Capt. Bohn as part of the Sea Tow network,” said Sea Tow Services International CEO Joseph Frohnhoefer III. “And we are honored to present him with two of our company’s Efforts Above and Beyond Awards for his expertise and response in these situations.”

The first rescue happened on May 29, 2021, during a nor’easter that was blowing 35 mph with gusts near 60 mph. Capt. Bohn received word from U.S. Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light that a houseboat had broken from its mooring, was adrift in Cedar Creek and was in danger of capsizing with two adults, two children and a dog aboard. He quickly launched a 29-foot Sea Tow boat but had difficulty making headway in the challenging conditions and had to abandon the attempt.  Realizing that he could get close to the grounded vessel by taking his truck off road, Capt. Bohn into the waist-deep waters to rescue all four people and the family dog.

The second rescue happened on August 7, 2021, when a mayday call was heard on VHF-FM channel 16 that reported a 61-year-old man had been injured when his boat ran aground near Oyster Creek Channel. Capt. Bohn briefed the U.S. Coast Guard about the vessel’s location and proceeded to assist the injured man. The man had suffered traumatic upper-body injuries after being ejected from his helm seat.  As a retired firefighter and EMT, Capt. Bohn used his knowledge to stabilize the individual. Once the Coast Guard boat arrived, Capt. Bohn placed the man on a backboard and helped transfer him to the rescue boat.

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